YEREVAN, January 26, /ARKA/. Armenian’s gambling businesses paid last year 1.2 billion Drams of mandatory payments, the ministry of finance said.

It said 485 million Drams were paid as state dues by companies granted the right to run winning games, 300 million Drams were paid by casinos and 400 million Drams by companies licensed to run lotteries.

The ministry said it granted 22 licenses last year for organization of winning games and 7 for organization of casinos.

At the same time the authorities canceled 36 licenses granted for organization of winning games, two licenses for organization of casinos and one for organization of a lottery. During the year 23 million Drams of penalties were imposed on gambling companies.

At the end of 2009 there were 98 valid licenses for organization of winning games, 12 licenses for organization of casinos and 4 for organization of lotteries. ($1 – 377.75 Drams).  -0-